Ganpati Bappa Morya is the chant felt all over Mumbai till the day of Ananth Chaturdashi. Pandals are erected with flamboyance and the making of the idol begins before two months. Ganesh Chaturthi is a devotional experience for an onlooker who is visiting Maharashtra. The various parts of India have a varied way of celebrating Ganesh Utsav.

Down south rice-jaggery dumplings or the modak is a delicacy. Regular milk based modaks are also used as Prasad to please the elephant God. Ganesh is known for intelligence and humility. The aarti is conducted with apblomb and festivity in all places. Sarvajanik Ganesh utsav was initiated by Lokmanya Tilak in a bid to intensify the popularity of Indianism and encourage group bonding. The tradition has grown largely to accommodate various instititutions and sanghs that conduct the festival annually.

Just as it is highly difficult to maintain an elephant, the details of Ganesh puja are also full of intricacies. The practice is to clean the entire house as in Diwali and also include a lot of fresh flowers and also clean up the kitchen. The idol is placed as per the indications of vastu for placing the idol. The offerings are generally done as 21 items be it the dhruva or modaks. Incense and continually the lamp is lit. The idol is generally placed in a well illuminated environment and is placed with constant company.

Many homes bring a Ganesh idol yearly and keep it for a day and a half, 5 days or till Ananth Chaturdashi which is usually for 10 days. Gauri Ganpati is also done in many homes where the immersions of both idols are done together. A daily arti is conducted twice with a complete bhog of traditional Indian food. Consuming the Prasad is also a sign of devotion and blessing.

With tears in their eyes, several people bid adieu to their favorite Ganesha and hope that the next festival comes soon. Amidst dance, gulal and music people dance in oblivion and devotion during the visarjan yatra.